One of the assumptions Christians often make is “once saved, always saved,” suggesting salvation can not be lost once you profess faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-10. However, Jesus provides three exceptions to this rule, real life scenarios that disrupt one’s initial commitment to God. After the crowds left his presence, Jesus reveals the meaning of the Parable of the Sower to his disciples, exposing how certain things can choke the Word out of someone’s faith.
But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful, Mark 4:19.
1. The Worries of this life: Beyond food, clothing and shelter, the human mind can race while trying to sleep. Financial concerns often lead to stress, sucking the joy of one’s life. Subsequently, the poor begin to think, “if I only had money, then I will truly be happy.”
2. The Deceitfulness of Wealth: You don’t have to venture far into statistics to see how greed can ruin the lives of individuals. In a Case Study based upon winner’s of the lottery, only a small percentage found true contentment. Several families were torn apart by selfish expectations, others went bankrupt by burning through their lump sum jackpot and some ended up in prison, corrupted by the love of money.
3. The Desire for Other Things: You don’t have to be rich to lose your way in life. However, wealth tends to open up doors, leading to opportunities never dreamed of before. Thus, the need for God and a Savior wane. In the end, Bibles collect dust, sitting in a drawer for most of one’s life. If you’re not careful, this gradual process can invade your soul, choking the Word out of your faith.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 